A mixed response
The Westminster Morrismen are going to dance for us outside the pub tonight at 7.45pm. Eddie the barman's just confided in me that the imminent arrival of our hanky-waving chums is garnering a mixed response. I'm genuinely puzzled by the naysayers. It's not like they have to buy into the whole thing, don a silly hat and jig around themselves. It's just something that's going down at a pub they normally drink at anyway. Why the Morris-hate?
22 comments:
Here in the States:
Drinking beer in a pub: manly.
Grown men prancing about with bells on their ankles, waving hankies: Not so manly.
"Why the Morris-hate?"
I don't get it either. It certainly isn't embracing the diversity of a certain culture and isn't very openminded/multi-culti either.
Whenever I see an event like this I try to enjoy it for what it is...
Maybe if you brought in some dervishes (sp?) you'd get a better response?
Looking forward to a few pints at your pub this fall...if you don't ban me b/c of this post LOL!!
Here in Europe:
Describing things as manly: insecure about your sexuality.
Surfadelic, people from my hometown are called "Sand Dancers" because of the traditional dances of our longstanding Yemeni community.
"Sand Dancers"... I think I came across that term in one of Stuart Maconie's books. Pies and Prejudice, I believe. Very Interesting read for a guy from the states...
Don't like mimes, don't like Morris dancers. No particular reason, they just bug me.
The Greeks like to dance with hankies and no-one calls them unmanly.
Maybe because it's English and part of our heritage that it's somehow not very popular.
I can think of nothing better to watch with a pint of Summer Lightening in hand sandwiched in between the end of the Lions match and the start of the Andorra game.
I am all for this and encourage you to also get into London Skittles, too.
This is exactly what the fun of any great pub as meeting space should include.
Alan
A Good Beer Blog
I can't say that I am a fanboy of Morris dancing but I don't find it objectionable.
I really don't get the hate. It wouldn't keep me from my local and I am sure I would watch and enjoy it for a bit.
Maybe some view Morris dancers as social misfits on the same plain as beer tickers! Both groups seem pretty harmless to me.
What I find more puzzling is the comments that Morris is crap but the guys in blackface and sticks are cool (or is that just another form of Morris dancing?).
Now if you will excuse me I have to inform my wife to stop being so manly and refrain from drinking beer here in the States.
Morris dancing almost died out in the 1960's. One look at some wierdy beardies prancing round waving hankies shows why it should have been left to run it's natural course.
And whoever compared M*rris dancers with tickers is so way off the beam I'm amused!!!
I bet they all jimgle in later with their pewter tankards demanding you "fill them up" when they're well over a pint and not govt stamped... do what I used to do at beer fests and fill a glass then tip it into their tankard, that winds them up.
I agree with Gazza, it's not fair to compare Morris Dancers to tickers.
Morris Dancing's a part of our cultural heritage, and however ridiculous it might seem to some, it's very entertaining and I'm glad people doing. People at my pub really enjoy the Westminster Morrismen's performance, as did the dancers and the enthourage they brought along with them.
Black faced guys with staves = Border Morris
Hankies etc = Cotswold Morris
Wee bendy swords = Northern rapper
I've revealed too much Morris knowledge.... i've been outed!!!
Watch out for the film 'Morris: a life with bells on!'
so that's all 7 of the morris dancing fans/tolerators in the UK commenting on 1 blog post
stephen beaumont has it right - it's acutely irritating to all but an odd little niche
Jeffrey; The "Sand Dancers" nickname was re-inforced when, during the long hot summers of the 1930's, the ordinary folk of "Sheels" began impromptu dances on the beach, accompanied by local musicians such as your Grandad, Jim, who played accordian. The cry of "No Wallflowers!" was taken up and all passersby were roped in to participate. No morris dancing, however!
As a kid we were forced to dance around the maypole and join in with the morris-men.
You know what? It was good fun and actually hard work. I'm glad these friendly, ale quaffing, bearded guys are up and dancing around. It's entertaining and saves the NHS from them having the same coronary heart by-passes as the rest of us!
However any viewer of Goodness Gracious Me will remember the scourge of Morris-Dancer Walla!
Oh Chakdee Phaateee!
Well, for what it's worth, we definitely enjoyed dancing there last night! The crowd seemed to be fairly into it too, and a good time seemed to be had by all.
Of course we're deeply sorry to anyone who, by virtue of our presence and the festive atmosphere outside, wasn't able to sit inside and ignore us and *still* enjoy their beer. It must be maddening to know that there's something fun going on out in the world that you can't bring yourself to enjoy.
So thanks to all who supported us for the 30 minutes we altered the routine of your lives, and we're glad you enjoyed it.
And of course huge thanks to Jeff for the invitation!
Anyone who'd like their routine altered for a further 30 minutes (or, conversely, who'd like to know where to avoid having to be put through the trauma of seeing some of England's cultural identity) is more than welcome to join us on our Belgravia Tour on June 24th. More details on Facebook or www.westminstermorris.org any day now...
Oh, and my opinions of Morris Dancers ??
Having Morris-men turn up at the pub is better than not having Morris-men turn up at the pub. They are colourful and lively (some of them) and brighten the day a little.
Many times this and last week I have read covert racist propaganda about the need to preserve the 'English Culture'. Here is some genuine English heritage. Where are those people calling for the preservation ??
Or is it the right to sit on a Swedish sofa drinking German-style beer, watching American movies that they need to protect.
Cornubia, I couldn't agree more. Very nice people. The funny thing was the dancers thanked me as they departed for another pub - where in fact it's myself, my staff and all the pub's regulars who felt grateful to them.
Some interesting comments here, especially the one from the Morris Men themselves. I know a few people who induldge in this sort of thing and my suspicions are that it just an excuse for a piss-up! Having said that I personally have nothing against Morris dancers, although I know plenty of people who do (including my wife) for some strange reason.
To sum up - a good old English tradition that deserves our support, although I agree with Gazza about the pewter tankard bit!
Why do people morris dance? Well, it's a vigorous, co-operative sport which can be enjoyed non-competitively and doesn't require expensive equipment. It gets you invited to lots of low-cost, family-friendly week-ends, with plenty of good food and drink. It introduces you to a huge network of friends in many different countries. The hanky-waving weirdo dancing opposite you might be a professor or a dustman - who cares? You all look the same in your bells and baldricks. You think they're funny? That's OK, they can laugh at themselves, just listen to the jingles they sing. Of course if you've got something better to do, they won't spoil your fun.
Oh, and the pewter tankards. That's so you don't have to leave your drink if you just got served and the squire says it's time to move on to the next pub. I never heard of anyone being wound up because the barman used a measuring glass. It's standard practice.
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